Serbia to Receive Pantsir-S Air Defence Combat Vehicles From Russia

Serbia has signed a deal to acquire a battery of Pantsir-S air defence combat vehicles from Russia - which will be delivered by the end of 2020. The vehicles are likely to replace some of Serbia’s ageing shorter ranged air defence systems in service such as the S-125 - which is approaching 60 years in service and was used to engage NATO aircraft during the 1990s. The deal came after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic mentioned the possibility of purchasing a Pantsir battery in late October 2019. This comes amid improving defence ties between the two countries, particularly in the field of air defence, with Russia in 2019 making its first overseas deployments of the S-400 missile system to Europe for joint exercises with Serbian forces, and in late 2017 delivering MiG-29 fighters as aid to assist Serbian military modernisation efforts. Serbia is reportedly considering acquisition of the S-300 air defence system, likely the PMU-2 variant, to compensate for the overall weakness of its aerial warfare capabilities, but the state’s ability to make major purchases is seriously constrained by its small economy and modest defence budget. The Pantsir is a highly mobile short ranged platform capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, infantry and light armoured vehicles, and has proven highly capable in combat during recent deployments to Syria. It remains uncertain whether the Pantsir purchase is intended to pave the way for future acquisitions of higher end systems - if not the long ranged S-300 then possibly the medium ranged BuK-M2 or S-350. The newer and more capable Pantsir-SM may also be under consideration.